Chloe Hosking and Alé Cipollini celebrate after winning stage 4 of the Women’s Tour Down Under on 14 January in Adelaide. Women will now have their prize money matched with men.
Photograph: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Riders in the Women’s Tour Down Under will receive the same pay as their male counterparts for the first time, the South Australian government has announced.

On Monday the state government announced that from 2019 it would increase the prize pool in the women’s cycling event by about $90,000, putting the competition’s prize pool on par with the male event.

The initial women’s prize pool had been about $15,000.

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“These athletes are at the top of their game, displaying professionalism, determination and skill during every stage of the hard-fought race,” the South Australian sports minister, Leon Bignell, said.

“It’s only fair the prize money they receive is on par with their male counterparts for each stage as well as the general classification.”

AmandaSpratt (@AmandaSpratt)

Wow, not that I needed any more reasons to love Tour Down Under. What a huge step forward for equality 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/gK88JhBNFt

The Women’s Tour Down Under race director, Kimberley Conte, said the move would “elevate this race and recognise the skill and efforts of our riders”.

“We have women coming from all over the world for the Women’s Tour Down Under,” she said.

“Having equal prize money will result in even more interest from top international female riders and help take this race to the next level.”

David Lappartient (@DLappartient)

Prize money for 2.1 UCI sanctioned #TDU Women’s race is now equal to men’s! I applaud the #seesouthaustralia Government commitment to support women cycling and thrilled to see that UCI’s first World Tour event leads the way for equal prize money! Lots to learn from this action. pic.twitter.com/c5JMNFKSJA